James Kirkup is The Telegraph's Executive Editor (Politics). He was previously the Telegraph's Political Editor and has worked at Westminster since 2001.

MPs revolting over expenses. IPSA in retreat?

Almost every MP I've spoken to since the Commons returned has mentioned the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, the new body in charge of their expenses. None has been happy.

Complaints generally focus on what MPs see as IPSA's inflexibility and its relatively leisurely timetable for paying out on expenses claims.

A few new members say they have been left thousands of pounds in debt by having to pay for start-up costs for offices etc, and then claim them back from IPSA, which will not pay out on claims until June 23. IPSA says that loans and advances are available to help. Members counter that the system for registering and claiming that help is cumbersome and slow. Some are chuntering about asking for an advance on their salaries…

Others are cross about IPSA's insistence that it will pay no more than 85 per cent of staff and office phone bills, assuming that the rest of the cost is personal calls. One MP this week angrily asked IPSA's boss if his staff were able to claim 100 per cent of their phone bills. Contact meetings between IPSA and the political parties have been bloody.

Andrew McDonald, the IPSA chief exec (salary £105,000 – £115,000, thanks) has been on the radio this morning, admitting IPSA must "raise our game" in communicating with MPs.

He also suggested he's prepared to start altering his rules in the light of MPs complaints:

"If the facts change, we are willing to look at it afresh."

So, angry MPs force their watchdog to back down on expenses expenses rules. Mr McDonald's suggestion of compromise will please MPs. But I wonder how taxpayers will feel about it.